Are you into eyelash extensions? Beware the eyelash mites!
What are Demodex (eyelash mites)? These are tiny, even microscopic, animalcules which presence bodes no good. These are intruders. Aliens. Microscopic parasites that, sadly, are fast to invade our eye skin area especially when we are a frequent visitor of a beauty parlour. Do you get your lashes extended regularly? Eyelash mites might become your small occupiers. Many women aren’t even aware that these tiny worms might have already made themselves at home either on their eyes or lashes. How to get rid of them? What reveals their presence? Why and when eyelash mites appear?
What are eyelash mites?
The written sources describe them as arachnid which chose mammal hair follicles and sebaceous glands to be their natural ecosystem. They feel good occupying both human and animal organisms – these tiny (a cigar-shaped animalcules having 0.15-0.3mm) mites don’t need widespread hairy area to feel comfortable enough to start residing there. Human Demodex mostly attack head (hair) and face area; they willingly settle on eyelashes, however, they can be also found on the entire face, for example in a nasolabial fold. Moreover, eyelash mites scavenge in hair follicles (hair bulbs) and sebacuous glands to feed on lipids and sebum.
This is where Demodex launch their invasion: lay eggs where maggots grow to within a month become fully-developed eyelash mites ready to multiply.
How can you get infested with Demodex? Beware the beauty parlours!
The infestation might take place after being in direct contact with a carrier, touching the same items as the carrier does and this includes sharing personal stuff, clothing, combs and even cosmetics (e.g. mascara samples/testers). The increased risk of infection is incurred especially while using the service of beauticians and hairdressers. Sometimes even seemingly hygienic and top-rated beauty parlour happens to be an incubatory of tiny parasites. Frequently the tools used to apply false extensions with such as all kinds of tweezers and the synthetic lash hairs themselves might be covered with Demodex eggs. It’s also worth realising that since false lashes can’t be exposed to water, they aren’t often clean enough. Consequently, false extensions remain dirty so they are fast to collect various types of bacteria and toxins. Hence, the risk of transmitting Demodex from our hands onto eyelashes is really high. As it’s easy to realise, among the extended and thick lashes, which are neither cleaned nor dampen regularly, eyelash mites find the perfect environment to live and multiply.
Eyelash mites – What are the health hazards?
Unfortunately, human organism makes eyelash mites feel welcome. Moreover, they belong to the group of parasites that are really difficult to notice on one’s own. There are special ophthalmic tests needed to detect eyelash mites. To make the matter even worse, the presence of Demodex in our organism remains unknown until their infestation reaches its high point and some symptoms start arousing our suspicions.
These tiny parasites are responsible for causing a condition called demodicosis. It’s a fairly common condition because plenty of adults are the carriers of Demodex. However, due to minor symptoms, demodicosis is frequently confused with skin and eye diseases as well as allergic reactions.
Eyelash mites that infested scalp might be the cause of uncontrolled hair loss and spot baldness (alopecia areata). When it comes to eyelash mites residing in the corners of eyelids, their unwanted presence might lead to the development of a condition known as pink eye (conjunctivitis).
What are the symptoms of demodicosis?
The most common symptoms of demodicosis are:
- skin, eyelid or eyeball redness,
- skin flaking off,
- eczema and spots,
- itchiness and prickling.
It’s worth realising that eyelash mites are frequently the cause of blackheads and acne. Since this type of skin produces too much sebum, Demodex tend to appear on acne-prone and oily skin type. Basically, the parasites accompany common acne, inflammation of a corner of the mouth (angular cheilitis), seborrhoea (seborrhoeic dermatitis) and other similar conditions. Frequently, the presence of eyelash mites make the symptoms of the ailments more severe.
When the parasite live in eye skin area, it often leads to inflammation of eyelid edges (blepharitis), dry eye syndrome and various types of allergic reactions. In this case, the following symptoms can be noticed:
- severe itchiness and prickling
- redness and swollen eyelids
- widening of blood vessels
- hair bulb weakening and lash loss
- dry eyes, which frequently leads to the sandy, gritty sensation
- cuticles on the eyelid edges
- various kinds of deposits surrounding the base of lashes
- lash discolouration
- lash brittleness
- bacterial superinfection and frequent eye infections
How to detect eyelash mite and demodicosis? – Tests
The best way to detect eyelash mites is through visiting specialists and running detailed laboratory tests. In order to do this, a specialist take scrape from lesions (e.g. tiny cuticles appearing on eyelids). You can also bring a few lash and brow hairs to a laboratory. The specimen is sent to a microbiology laboratory. Naturally, you don’t have to have a referral to run these tests.
What’s important, on the day when the skin test is scheduled, you mustn’t apply any cream, powder or a foundation nor can be the lashes coated with a mascara. Moreover, you can’t even use cleansing cosmetics on that day. Otherwise, the results of the test might be unreliable.
How to treat demodicosis?
Is it even possible to remove eyelash mites form a human body completely?
Luckily, it’s possible but it’s really hard.
It lasts long and frequently you can expect relapse of the parasites because they transmit easily and in an uncontrolled manner. Treating demodicosis can take from a few even up to a few dozen of weeks. All things considered, to stay away from eyelash mites it’s worth approaching false extension procedures cautiously. Also, do your best to buy only the eye make-up products that are originally wrapped with cellophane. Avoid the packages that can be easily open in a drugstore so as to prevent applying a product that has been already used by a stranger.